FCI explores off-budget financing

₹25,000-CR BONDS LIKELY

- SANDIP DAS

AFTER A FOUR-YEAR gap, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) is exploring the option of raising about ₹25,000 crore through off-budget resources to bridge a widening gap between budgeted allocations and its sharply higher projected food subsidy expenditure in FY26.

The proposed fundraise, through government-guaranteed bonds, reflects mounting pressure on FCI's finances as subsidy costs overshoot initial estimates.